The ongoing construction of the iconic Funzi Island causeway project in Kwale County is being hailed as a game changer.
The novel project is set to boost connectivity and safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and fishermen with boats and fishing equipment.
Funzi Island is a tropical haven with mangrove forests, green coral reefs and lush green vegetation and for discerning tourists this exclusive sandy island is the absolute dream location.
Known for its pristine beaches, it consists of four mangrove covered islands, where Funzi Island is the main the only one, with permanent inhabitants.
The Funzi causeway spanning 500 meters and a two-kilometer road promises the island dwellers public access to the mainland.
Construction works of the Sh1.15 billion Funzi causeway off Milalani -Munja (UR 16B) road goes on full swing and that the project is expected to be completed by next year.
The Funzi causeway will be the only link between Funzi Island and Kwale mainland and will be used by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles that service the island’s tourism attractions and the fishing industry.
The crossing point is approximately 5km from the mainland in Msambweni Sub County and provides access to Funzi Island, which in turn will lead to easy access to hotels, social amenities, schools, and various health centers in the area.
Stakeholders contend that the idyllic island holds great tourism and fishing potential that will boost the economic and social potential of the island dwellers, well into the future.
Keen observers say the new and modern high-speed causeway once complete with standard specifications will open up Kwale to tourist investments and the leisure industry.
Residents interviewed by KNA say the causeway over Funzi creek is a game changer for the islanders and visitors in terms of improving accessibility, especially during the high tide.
The new causeway is expected to be the lifeline for residents to venture out and get back to the island at will instead of waiting for low tides or walking around an outcrop of rocks to get back home.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen while on a tour of the causeway project says it was good to see the road works are well underway in time for the planned launch in July next year.
Murkomen said the causeway under the purview of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority will mean that people and goods can move on freely across the Funzi straight year-round.
He says the scope of works involves the construction of a vented causeway, and improvement of approach roads from gravel to bitumen standard, and the maintenance of Funzi Causeway.
He says the causeway bridge will improve safety, connectivity, and amenity for the fisher folks and provide education for tourists and local communities alike.
The Minister who was accompanied by area Governor Fatuma Achani also inspected the ongoing construction of the Sh 2.6 billion Shimoni fish port development project, the Sh.538 million Mwachande Bridge and Sh. 2. 3 billion Diani Airport rehabilitation and expansion.
Mwachande Bridge is being built across River Ramisi and seeks to connect Msambweni and Lungalunga sub-counties in Kwale.
All the ongoing infrastructure projects traverse an area where fishing, agriculture, and tourism are the main economic activities for the coastal residents.
The CS says the Mwachande Bridge is one of the most critical infrastructure developments in the Coast region and links thousands of people to markets and amenities like hospitals and schools.
He says once completed, it will also facilitate faster access to the South Coast and provide a link to the Mwananyamala Industrial Park, which is set to change the economic fortunes of Kwale.
Murkomen says the mega iconic projects traverse an area where fishing, agriculture, and tourism are the main economic activities and are key to unlocking the coastal county’s economic potential for posterity.
He says the Diani airport upgrade will increase the number of tourists to the coastal region as the sector continues to recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CS says larger capacity aircrafts will soon start flying to the Diani airport formerly Ukunda airstrip as expansion projects at the facility get underway in earnest.
He says flight tickets from Nairobi to Mombasa cost an average of Sh.10, 000 while that of the South Coast in neighbouring Kwale costs double that amount because large aircrafts cannot land in Diani airport.
The project includes extending the runway from the current 1.2 km by 200 meters, an ultra-modern terminal building, and apron to enable bigger aircrafts to land directly.
The Transport minister says this will enable larger-capacity aircrafts to land at the airport making passenger flights more economical.
The CS said the expansion works will also allow a bit more capacity for the fly in fly outs, and also attract a regular passenger transport to Diani and other destinations in the south coast.
The county Governor Fatuma Achani says the new runway which has been designed to handle larger and heavier aircrafts is hoped to increase the tourist resort town’s appeal as a fly-in destination by attracting direct international flights.
Diani beach is the preferred holiday destination for many Kenyans and foreign visitors and each year it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour its beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambience.
Diani Beach has been voted the best beach destination in Africa six years in a row by the World Travel Awards.
“We expect an influx of international visitors to Diani once the upgrade and renovation work aimed at improving space for international travelers is complete,’ she said.
The county boss says once the upgrade is complete European chartered airlines would be able to fly directly to Diani and boost the local tourism industry.
She says all the ongoing infrastructure projects championed by the national government will in the long run improve livelihoods in Kwale and the larger coastal region.
She says these are among the infrastructure projects by the national government aimed at easing transportation in Kwale County, and also spur the growth of the county’s economy.
Achani says her administration is committed to continue working closely with the national government in implementing projects that directly benefit the people of Kwale.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) official Dr. Sam Ikwaye says the expansion works once complete will attract more foreign tourists into Kwale as more charter flights will expand their operations into the upgraded facility.
“We are sure the number of passengers through the airport will grow steadily as the improvements will turn the facility into one that is coveted by holidaymakers and businessmen,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
